The Truth Behind Why Fort Knox Is Among The Most Heavily Guarded And Secretive Places In The World

Fort Knox is a byword for the highest levels of security imaginable. Apart from the dedicated staff looking after the gold bullion, only a tiny handful of people have ever made it past the 20-ton steel door of the vault. But just what is the truth about the secrets hidden inside this squat granite edifice?

Strictly speaking, Fort Knox refers to the military base where the gold bullion vault is located. The vault itself is properly called the United States Bullion Depository, but is almost universally known as Fort Knox. In fact, there’s been military activity at this site in Kentucky since the Civil War.

Built in 1861, Fort Duffield was the first facility at the site which was fought over by the Unionists and Confederates. Perched atop Muldraugh Hill, the site had strategic significance as it lay at the junction of the Ohio and Salt rivers and on the road between Louisville and Nashville.